Southampton complete deal for Twente defender

Southampton have announced their fourth new arrival of the summer, with Cuco Martina joining the club from FC Twente on a two-year deal.

The Saints had little option but to let Nathaniel Clyne join Liverpool earlier this month, as the England international showed no intention of extending a contract which had slipped into the final 12 months of its agreement. Ronald Koeman had already identified a replacement for the England international, and completed the transfer of Cedric Soares from Sporting Lisbon in June.

And the St Mary’s outfit have now brought in another option at right fullback, with Curacao international Martina signing for an undisclosed fee from Dutch side FC Twente. The 25-year-old will compete with Soares for a place in the side, but his versatility will also allow him to deputise for Ryan Bertrand, the left fullback, who faces a layoff after undergoing knee surgery.

“I’m very happy to be here at a big club like Southampton,” Martina told the official club website. “I’ve followed Southampton now for two years and I see they are now a big club. I know Ronald Koeman and Erwin Koeman – I worked with Erwin for one year and everything was good. He knows my qualities and I know what he wants. It was a dream for me to play in the Premier League.”

Koeman has also drafted in goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from Fulham on loan, and 22-year-old Spain international forward Juanmi has joined from Malaga. One player who doesn’t seem likely to feature in the Saints plans for the coming season is Toby Alderweireld, who impressed whilst on loan from Atletico Madrid last term but now looks destined to join Tottenham Hotspur.